Millwey Rise Reserves were beaten 4-2 on their visit to Sandford Reserves for their first Devon and Exeter League Division Eight game of the new season, writes Dick Sturch.

Unfortunately at times this game became a little fractious with players on both sides giving vent to their frustration due to some questionable decisions!

Stuart King, playing ‘up front’ for Rise, came in for some particularly hard challenges.

Having said that, in between the outbursts, a lot of good football was played. For the first 15 minutes play was end-to-end.

James Rocket had a shot loop just over the bar before a firm strike on Millwey’s goal was tipped over by keeper Terry Male.

From the resulting corner Sandford got the ball in the net to open the scoring.

Millwey had several attacks breakdown around the home side’s penalty area and, in the 25th minute, paid for their profligacy when Sandford increased their lead from a mix up in the visitors defence.

This seemed to galvanise Rise into action, and in the final minutes of the half, both Ty Allen and Dave Bridges went close.

Two minutes before the break a flowing move from the back saw the ball played through to Stuart King who gave the Sandford keeper no chance as he smashed the ball into the net.

Two minutes into the second period the same player latched onto a through-ball to bring the scores level.

This was followed by strike from Allen which skimmed the crossbar. Sandford then moved back in front when they took advantage of some sloppy marking.

Millwey introduced sub Chris Pritchard and within minutes of his arrival he rattled the home side’s crossbar and followed this up with a one on one with the keeper which was gratefully pushed away.

King then swept the ball temptingly across the Sandford goal area ,but no one could get that vital touch to turn it into the gaping goal.

Sandford wrapped the game up when a shot on goal deflected off a Millwey defender and flew into the net completely wrong footing keeper Male.

Millwey shouldn’t be down hearted at the result. They showed at times their ability to play some flowing football. The difference between the teams was ‘lady luck’ - and Sandford had it!

Defender Wayne Jenkins and front man King led by example but Millwey’s Man of the Match, sponsored by Axminster Printing Company Ltd, was James Rocket, who covered every inch of the pitch in his efforts to secure a win for his team.

This Saturday (September 1), the Rise 1st team host Sampford Peverell at Cloakham Lawns (3pm) while the 2nd team visit Dawlish United 2nds.